THE CAST of a local theatre company are warming up for a stint at the Edinburgh Festival, after being warmed up themselves by the Loughborough Building Society.

Carrot Napper productions applied for and received a Community Matters award for £66 from Loughborough Building Society to buy a portable industrial fan heater to keep the cast warm during rehearsals.

Sharon Van de Velde from Loughborough Building Society went along to watch the rehearsal of the group’s latest play ‘Canvas’ at Rosebery St Peters Community Centre and to see how the award has benefit the group.

Canvas is a fantasy murder mystery starring Loughborough born international Chinese brush paint artist Paul Maslowski painting the clues like on stage.

It also includes soprano Sarah Ayrton, fresh from her stint in the 2011 Olivier Award winning ‘La Boheme’.

The show will be shown in Buxton June 4 and 5 before moving to Edinburgh from August 1 to 13.

A Community Matters award is available to any local worthwhile group or charity whose aim is to make a positive difference to the community. The awards are given three times a year and amounts of up to £500 are available per organisation.

The closing date for the next round of awards is April 30. For more information, call into the branch on High Street or visit www.theloughborough.co.uk